KARACHI – The Karachi commissioner completed the final investigation report into the deadly fire at Gul Plaza, detailing the cause of the blaze, the sequence of rescue operations and the number of casualties, the official sources said on Wednesday.
The sources said that the report was prepared by a committee comprising the Karachi commissioner and the Additional Inspector General (IG).
The findings will be formally presented to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
The report includes details of the factors that led to the outbreak of the fire, the response of firefighting and rescue services, and information collected from victims, eyewitnesses and rescue officials.
Sources said the investigation concluded that the fire started on the ground floor when a child accidentally ignited a blaze at a flower shop.
The flames spread rapidly, moving through the building’s air-conditioning ducts to other parts of the plaza.
The report confirms that at least 79 people lost their lives in the incident, with the majority of the fatalities occurring on the mezzanine floor of Gul Plaza.
According to the timeline outlined in the report, the fire broke out at around 10:15pm, while the fire brigade was informed at 10:26pm.
The Deputy Commissioner (South) reached the site at 10:30pm. The first fire tender arrived at 10:37pm, and Rescue 1122 personnel reached the scene at 10:53pm.
The Sindh government is expected to review the findings and announce further action following the submission of the report to the chief minister.
